I'm on a recent install of Ubuntu 18.04, with emacs 25.2.2, and auctex installed via the package manager.

When I type C-c C-c to view a recently latex'ed document, Emacs launches the command TeX-evince-sync-view. Then nothing happens. I see no evidence of a command being issued in the Messages buffer or in the TeX * path_to_my_file output * buffer.

I have tried playing around with the TeX-view-program-list variable (which by default appears to be 'nil) but I have a caveman's knowledge of lisp and don't really know what I'm doing.

'C-c C-v' is the quick short cut that produces no messages in other buffers. What happens if you try to select "View" from the "Command" menu? This will at least write in the minibuffer the command that it will try to run.
– Andrew SwannDec 7 '18 at 14:11

I edited the title to fix a typo. C-c C-c is the keystroke in question. When I select 'view' from the 'command' menu the minibuffer is populated with "View command: TeX-evince-sync-view" just like if I hit C-c C-c. My issue is that this command seems to have no effect.
– Steven ScottDec 8 '18 at 17:23

Have you tried debugging that function, i.e. M-x debug-on-entry then enter TeX-evince-sync-view, and thereafter try to run the command as you describe
– Andrew SwannDec 8 '18 at 18:13

Not the same system here however I thought across platforms CcC- compile and CcC-view were the emacs-auctex default so I have to V after C unless yours has been totally reconfigured which you would need to explain where
– KJODec 8 '18 at 18:54

@KJO: Typing C-c C-c in auctex will do whatever the document needs next. If it has not been compiled, it will compile. If the .bib has changed it will BibTeX. If everything is compiled, it will launch a viewer. I've used these keystrokes for 25 years or so.
– Steven ScottDec 9 '18 at 19:29